Methods for making a device for concurrently processing multiple biological chip assays

Abstract

Methods for concurrently processing multiple biological chip assays by providing a biological chip plate comprising a plurality of test wells, each test well having a biological chip having a molecular probe array; introducing samples into the test wells; subjecting the biological chip plate to manipulation by a fluid handling device that automatically performs steps to carry out reactions between target molecules in the samples and probes; and subjecting the biological chip plate to a biological chip plate reader that interrogates the probe arrays to detect any reactions between target molecules and probes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to methods for concurrently performing multiple biological chip assays. The invention therefore relates to diverse fields impacted by the nature of molecular interaction, including chemistry, biology, medicine and diagnostics. [0002] New technology, called VLSIPS™, has enabled the production of chips smaller than a thumbnail that contain hundreds of thousands or more of different molecular probes. These biological chips or arrays have probes arranged in arrays, each probe assigned a specific location. Biological chips have been produced in which each location has a scale of, for example, ten microns. The chips can be used to determine whether target molecules interact with any of the probes on the chip. After exposing the array to target molecules under selected test conditions, scanning devices can examine each location in the array and determine whether a target molecule has interacted with the probe at that location. [0003...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes methods and systems for processing multiple biological chip assays simultaneously. The methods involve using a biological chip plate with a plurality of test wells containing probes that are designed to bind to target molecules in samples. The probes can be fluorescent markers, chemiluminescent markers, light scattering markers, or radioactive markers. The methods can be used to detect or identify pathogens or human gene variants. The systems include a biological chip plate, a fluid handling device, a plate reader, and a computer for processing the results. The biological chip plates can have a variety of probe arrays and can be made using different methods. The technical effects of this patent include improved efficiency and accuracy in biological chip assays and the ability to detect and identify a wide range of target molecules.

Problems solved by technology

However, they are not adapted for handling multiple samples simultaneously.

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